Abstract
In the light of nurses' questions regarding the handling of the totally-implanted venous access device, this study aimed to evaluate these professionals' knowledge. This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, whose sample was made up of 28 nurses working on the Internal Medicine ward and in the Emergency Room. The study was undertaken in two stages: interviewing, to evaluate knowledge regarding the handling of the implanted port; and an integrative review to clarify the doubts identified. The results indicated that the nurses' knowledge was inadequate regarding when to use the implanted port, its purpose, the puncture technique, maintenance and handling. It is concluded that the knowledge of the subjects evaluated is inadequate, and that it is necessary for these professionals' clinical skills to be standardized and for them to receive theoretical-practical training.
Highlights
Patients who receive prolonged treatment and need constant use of the venous network are likely to present, at some point, peripheral vascular weakness
In the area of Oncology, the totally implanted venous access device (TIVAD) is an option for adult patients, as it ensures safety in the long term administration of intravenous medications. This catheter is indicated for those patients who shall receive long-term chemotherapy over multiple cycles, the infusion of vesicant chemotherapy agents, or agents which lead to severe medullary aplasia, chemotherapy in which the infusion time is over eight hours, patients who underwent bilateral mastectomy, and patients with intense lymphedema, as well as obese patients with difficult venous access
Twenty eight nurses participated in the present study, of whom 10 worked in Internal Medicine (IM) and 18 in Emergency Room (ER)
Summary
Patients who receive prolonged treatment and need constant use of the venous network are likely to present, at some point, peripheral vascular weakness. In the area of Oncology, the totally implanted venous access device (TIVAD) ( known as the implanted port) is an option for adult patients, as it ensures safety in the long term administration of intravenous medications. This catheter is indicated for those patients who shall receive long-term chemotherapy (over six months) over multiple cycles, the infusion of vesicant chemotherapy agents, or agents which lead to severe medullary aplasia, chemotherapy in which the infusion time is over eight hours, patients who underwent bilateral mastectomy, and patients with intense lymphedema, as well as obese patients with difficult venous access. Its insertion requires a surgical procedure, generally undertaken under local anaesthesia.[2,3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
